I have been working on my CAS program with the IB for the past two years. This program has helped shape the activities I chose to do as well as being a constant encouragement to be an active member of my community. Over this period I have grown as an individual, as well as growing as a member of my community. I have participated in many different activities over this time and all of them have influenced me in at least one way. I’m going to talk about each aspect of the CAS program: creativity, action, and service; that and how each aspect effected me.
Before joining the IB program, I was not a very creativity oriented person. However, I never really tried to push myself into being creative. Needing to fulfill the creativity aspect of CAS was a helpful starting push toward growth in this area. I had been playing drums and bass for about one year each when I started the CAS program, however, I had only ever played in ensembles with my bass. Luckily, in tenth grade I had begun to explore my musical musings more deeply. I joined the ISK Jazz band in my second semester of tenth grade. I then chose to continue this in my eleventh and twelfth grade years as each year I participated in it I only enjoyed it more. My increased interest in music led me to other musical aspects. I joined one of my friend’s bands in eleventh grade, and I started to learn to play the saxophone. I also ended the year by playing in the ISK Composer’s club concert. In twelfth grade I was a part of Composer’s club all year, participating in several songs in the final Composer Club concerts, and playing both Bass and drums. The personal growth I found I experienced most in my musical musings was, as well as improving my ability, the ability to commit to a creative activity. Previously, an interest would spark; I would chase it for a few weeks maybe, then drop it. However, after experiencing so many activities that I enjoyed, and keeping with them, I found that I enjoyed staying with my interests, even if they’re difficult for the first few months, I still enjoy the learning process, and enjoy it even more once I’m past the beginner phase.
As for my activity aspect of CAS, I progressed through the program in a different way. I’ve always been a very athletic person. I’ve been playing organized sports since I was 4 and I’ve done individual sports since I was coordinated enough. I’ve always enjoyed pushing myself in sports, and that’s one of the reasons that I’m a good athlete, I push myself, give 100%, no matter what sport I’m playing. Whether I’m new at the sport, or just not experienced in the sport, or whether I’m a veteran player from the varsity team. In my time in the IB I’ve been on multiple varsity teams, including Basketball and Volleyball varsity throughout the two years. I’ve also done a training period in Mixed Martial Arts in some of my free time. The action aspect of CAS influenced me differently than the creativity aspect. Whereas the creativity aspect helped me develop new interests and encouraged me to stick to them, through the action aspect I further developed my own abilities in the sports, as well as developing leadership skills. Now, the manner in which CAS was a part of my development isn’t quite the norm for this aspect. If I had been a non-IB student I still would have progressed as a player and further grown in ability; however, my leadership wouldn’t have been the same, and it wouldn’t have developed anywhere near as much. In eleventh grade I was on both Varsity Volleyball and Varsity Basketball (for team sports), however, I wasn’t a leader on the teams. Both times there were people on the team who had been with the team for more years than I had, and who were more experienced. However, as the IB requires written reflections on our activities I was forced to sit and think about the sport I had played, the people I had played with, my own involvement, and how I was influenced. With the IB requiring this, I never would have taken the time to simply sit and think about any of this. I found that during these reflection processes I could think about the leadership and what worked best to bring the team together in times of joy, sadness, and during high intensity games. Thanks to these reflections, I think I grew into a leader with a much better grasp of what to do, and how to act. I didn’t have to write notes, or study, but the reflection process really enabled me to pick up on key things such as positive encouragement, keeping players level headed, and giving it my own 100% in order to encourage others to do the same. There are always times in some games when you want to berate another player for an error, or push back when getting pushed by a player on the opposing team; however, I found myself being able to pause mentally and neutralize myself before doing either. Through this, and encouraging my teammates I was a clear leader in both the Varsity Basketball and Volleyball seasons this year (in twelfth grade), and I think that without the reflection process I wouldn’t have been able to that at all.
Now onto service, this aspect of the CAS program was the aspect that I had the most difficulty finding an activity in which I wanted to or was able to participate in. However, looking back, I’m glad I participated I the activities that I did. I enjoyed myself, and each day I felt like I could say that I was helpful to my community. For my different service activities I think I grew in different areas. My two primary service activities were a one-week period working for as a volunteer steward at the AISA Conference and a two-week period as a volunteer basketball coach. From working as a volunteer steward I think that my growth was primarily in my commitment to a service activity. Before this I hadn’t been in an extended service activity ever. I feel like this activity was a solid start into committing to a service activity. Also, I think it showed perseverance on my part, as my job was not particularly exciting. However, I got to listen to some very interesting presentations, and that was certainly fun as well, as well as, a good learning experience. From my time as a volunteer basketball coach I developed teaching abilities. I got to experience coaching two different age groups (6-9 and 9-13), and found that the teaching that I did was done significantly different. I also gained a new respect for teachers of any age group. Another interesting aspect of teaching was that I improved on my own abilities. In the age groups we were teaching we focused strongly on the fundamentals, from this I noticed a few small tweaks I could make to my own fundamentals (such as shooting form and pivot movement) in order to improve my own playing. Both of these activities influenced me to value volunteer work more. I enjoyed learning from my experience as a steward and I enjoyed interacting with kids and seeing them improve during my coaching activity.
In conclusion, I think that my experience in the CAS program was nothing but beneficial to my personal growth. I’ve been influenced in a variety of ways, and all of those ways have been a positive influence. Another way in which I think that the CAS program was a good experience was because it pushed me to do new things, to improve myself, be an active part of my community, and to commit to my personal interests. I think that my growth through the program will help me as I move onto higher education.
